The research, which explores 'dark diversity' - species yet to be described - begins with jungle insects possessing DNA barcodes but lacking formal classification. Leveraging advances in molecular technology, the team plans to establish a systematic and automated workflow to streamline species identification on a scale never seen before.
The project, titled "A Genomic Blueprint for the Description of Thousands of New Species," launched in September 2024 and is supported by the Research Council of Finland. Researchers from Finland, the USA, and Canada are collaborating on this initiative, with additional positions being filled. Nearly half a million euros in funding over four years has been allocated to the University of Oulu for this effort.
"Traditional methods of species identification are too slow to address the challenges of biodiversity in the face of rapid biodiversity loss," said Professor Marko Mutanen, project leader from the University of Oulu. He emphasized that this new genomic approach marks a significant shift in tackling the biodiversity crisis.
Accelerating the Identification Process
Insect species are central to this research because of their incredible diversity and ecological importance. For example, doctoral researcher Niina Kiljunen utilized DNA barcoding during her master's thesis to identify approximately 1,000 new species of gall midges in Finland. This number could increase significantly as further studies continue. Gall midges, delicate flies with varied ecological roles, are a testament to the vast number of undescribed insect species.
Globally, researchers like Professor Daniel H. Janzen, another key project contributor, have read nearly one million DNA barcodes representing up to 50,000 Costa Rican gall midge species. However, few of these have received formal scientific names.
Defining a Species Through DNA
A critical question the project addresses is how to determine whether DNA barcodes represent distinct species. By combining DNA barcoding with independent genetic markers, researchers can cross-validate species boundaries. If multiple genetic traits confirm the same distinctions, the species is definitively recognized as unique.
"DNA-based species description will be based on DNA barcodes and other genetic markers," Kiljunen explained. This integrated method could complement traditional taxonomy, making the identification process faster and more comprehensive.
The innovative approach being developed has the potential to revolutionize species identification, enabling scientists to keep pace with the immense biodiversity that remains unclassified. Partner institutions supporting this project include the University of Guelph, University of Pennsylvania, University of Kentucky, and University of Eastern Finland.
Research Report:A Genomic Blueprint for the Description of Thousands of New Species
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University of Oulu, Finland
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